This week in the Speculator, we discuss the future of GameCube games, more Wii Music and a next-gen Chrono game.
GameCube games to be offered on Wii U Virtual Console
Ever since Nintendo revealed that GameCube games and controllers would not be compatible with the Wii U, it’s been rumored that the GameCube would eventually find its way to the new Virtual Console shop.
 Andrew90% Seems like the logical next step for Nintendo to take with the Virtual Console/eShop. There are plenty of amazing GameCube games that we could see brought back. It would make Nintendo more money and would make fans happy, which seems like a win-win situation. Whether or not we’ll see these games HD-ified is another question, but I want to believe we will eventually. |
 Shawn95% While the GameCube was one of the least successful Nintendo consoles, there were plenty of worthwhile games on it. Given the success of the Virtual Console on the Wii, I don’t see any reason why Nintendo wouldn’t add at least a few select GameCube titles to it. |
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 Graham70% This will probably happen. Eventually, and with a small selection. If it doesn’t, we’ll see some collections or something released, but in this format, I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like Luigi’s Mansion offered in conjunction with the 3DS sequel. |
 Eric5% I can’t really see this happening at all. There was a uniqueness storm with the GameCube controller that hasn’t seen anything like it ever since. I’d imagine it would be really hard to emulate that with any control scheme the Wii U has to offer. |
Wii Music U under development
Nintendo recently filed a patent for a MotionPlus-powered music game, which has started the rumor mills spinning over a new Wii Music game. Obviously it’s too late in the Wii’s life for such a game to ever come out, so of course the rumor is that this is for a Wii U title.
| Andrew 30% I really hope this isn’t true. Wii Music wasn’t even a huge hit for Nintendo, at least not compared to Wii Sports, Play and Fit. Those all seem like likely candidates to continue to focus on (and, in Wii Fit’s case, they will continue to focus on). I’m just not sure why Nintendo would even consider this a good idea, but it’s Nintendo, they’ve done dumber things in the past. |
Shawn 50% I can honestly see this going either way. MotionPlus and the GamePad would both allow for a better game, but Wii Music was such a failure on all levels that I’m not sure Nintendo would revisit it again anytime soon. |
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| Graham 25% I think Nintendo will keep trying new things, and I think that (at least eventually) we’ll get another music-based title. But the Wii Music brand is one that only hurts the game. They’ll handle it like they did Wii Party, whose followup was (successfully) fashioned into the ninth Mario Party installment. |
Eric 80% I could see the potential with this, especially with the Wii U GamePad. You could go in a bunch of directions with this. Make a touch screen rhythm game, make music with it as a synthesizer… The possibilities are endless. The original Wii Music had so much potential, but faltered pretty hard. |
New Chrono game in development for PlayStation 4
The Agni’s Philosophy tech demo at E3 blew away many gamers over the potential graphics of next-generation RPGs from Square Enix. Now, according to an unnamed source, Square Enix is looking at using this new engine to develop a new game in the Chrono series for the PS4.
| Andrew 10% As sad as it might be, Square seems to have no interest in bringing back the franchise. They will continue to port Chrono Trigger to various platforms and that will probably keep doing well for them, but I don’t think they’re going to focus on a new Chrono game right now. We could see one in the future, it’s always possible, but I’m sure they have other franchises which take precedent when it comes to next-gen development. |
Shawn 10% As much as I would love a new Chrono game, I just don’t see Square Enix touching that series again for a long time. I really wish they would because the Chrono series is one of my favorite series of all time. I just don’t find it likely at all. |
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| Graham 40% I never want to get my hopes up, but if you’d asked me how the Chrono Trigger franchise would be most likely to return, I’d… well, I’d tell you it’d be a free-to-play game on GREE, but right after that on the list is “launch-window release to test out a new engine.” Square Enix doesn’t want to kill a franchise that way, but if the franchise in question is already dead? Give it a chance. |
Eric 5% This series has been MIA for so long that I doubt that it would even make another appearance. I honestly think the Suikoden or Breath of Fire series has a better chance of reviving on the PS4. |
Current 2012-13 Season standings:
| Andrew -3 |
Eric -28 |
Graham 84 |
Shawn -52 |
Starting this season, scores are centered on a zero point to account for occasional panelist changes.
